Scaffold hoist



March 23,1926; 1577,617

W. C. FERRIS SCAFFOLD HOIST Filed Sept. 25, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m/flm Fri IN V EN TOR A TTORNEY'L March 23, 1926. v

w. c. FERRIS SCAFFOLD HOIST IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m/fo/ Cai n;

MFQ

Size/ March 23 1926. 1,577,617

w. c. FERRIS SCAFFOLD HOI ST 65" INVENTOR.

62 BY WLlJl ki 9 7 ATTORNEY.

W. C. FERRIS SCAFFOLD noxs'r March 23 1926.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 25, 1925 mi/fon (i firm;

IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Mafch 23 ,1926.

W. C. FERRIS SCAFFOLD HOIST Filed Sept. 25, 1925 -Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYI 5 5 eat Patented Mar. 255, 192th WALTON G. FEBRIS, F LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, ASSIiG-NOR '10 NATIONAL MANUFACTUR- ING- GOMPANY, 033 LINCOLN, NEBBASKA,-A CORPORATION (313 NEBRASKA.

SCAF-FOLD HOISTL.

Application filed September To ((U1617101)? it 122 my concem lie it known that I, VVAi/roN C. Finuuis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraslm, have invented certain new and useful lln'iprovements in Scaliold Hoists, of which the following is a specification.

ltlyinvention relates to scaffold hoists of the type described in my prior Patent Number 1,565,241, granted September 29, 1925. The objects of the invention are similar to those of my prior patent and will be men tioned but briefly in this connection. In general the present embodiments of the invention are in many respects a radical departure from the structures shown and described in the prior patent, and to a large extent they have for the object the provision of a scali'old hoist which is exceedingly light in weight, of extreme simplicity of design, and in which the operation, has been greatly simplified, at the same time providing for increased safety to the workmen and others.

Having in view these objectsand others which will be pointed out in the following description, I will now refer to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows the top portion of a building structure with a scaffold hoist of the preferred type suspended -from an outrigger.

Figure 2 shows a modified form of the sc-aitold hoist support suspended from an outrigger on a building structure.

Figure 3 is a View in elevation of the portion of a chain at one of the joints thereof, the chain being the kind shown in Figure 2.

Figure- 4: is a sectional view t the chain shown in Figure 3, the links and the bolt heads being shown in full.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the pin-drop device used in connection with the chain shown in Figures 2, 8, and

Figure 6 is an elevation of the same device looking in the direction of the arrow of Figure 5.

F igure 7 is a plan view of the device shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is an elevation of one'oif the jointed portions shown in Figure 1.

F igure 9 another elevation of the same 25, 1925. Serial N0. 58,564.

supporting chain, looking in the direction of the arrow of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an elevation platform frames.

Figure 11. isan elevational view of my preferred term of hoisting machine.

Figure 11 is a plan View of the lever 21, the cooperating parts being shown in section. I

Figure 12 shows a, modified form of the hoisting machine, the modification residing 111 a single screw thread instead of the double screw thread shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 shows still another modification of the hoisting machine employing a rack and pinion instead of a screw,

Figure 1.41- showsv another m ditication of the hoisting machine employing a lever for performing the operation.

Figure 15 is a View of the yoke which may be used with any of the hoisting machines.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the special hook which is adapted to engage the hoistmg machine.

Figure 17 is' an elevation of the hook as it appears when attached to the putlog.

Figure 18 is a view in elevation of a locking hood u hich inay be used as a safety device on tl-1-c"pin.-drop? type of chain.

Figure 18 is. a view in side elevation 0']? one of the showing a modified form of locking hood.

Figure 19 is a. view in elevation of the same lockinghood, as viewed from the side of the hood.

I Figure 20 is a View of a special tool for releasing the pin-drop from the retaining walls in order to permit the lowering of the platform.

The supporting chain on which the car riage is elevated is secured to an outrigger which is secured at any convenient point to the buildin structure by means of any suitable taste means. The outrigger usually rests on the root of the building structure as shown in Figures 1 and 2, sometimes necessitating a chain of one hundred feet or more in length. I may employ either of two supporting chains. The chain shown in Figures 1, 8, and 9 is what 1 term the 'nn drop type of chain. This comprises links of fiat. steel connected by link plates ll of similar material, the links 10 and link plates 11 being held together by rivet pins 12 and washers 13. The rivet pins 12 are spaced a sutlicient distance to permit the compact folding of the links 10 against each other, edge to edge. At points of suitable distances, preferably about six inches, the chain is provided with pins 1 L projecting from both sides thereof. These pins may be driven through suitable apertures in the links 10 or they may be formed integral therewith, depending on whether the links 10 are formed by cutting and punching or by forging. The chain shown in Figures 2, 3, and t is similar except that it has no pins ll. It is formed from double-headed bolts 15 having integral heads 16. Engaging each. head 16 is a clevis 17, and the clevises of adjacent links are held together in pivotal relation by means of the link plates 18 and the rivet pins 19 passing through the clevises and through the link plates. The rivet pins 19 are firmly held in position by means of the washers 20. In this chain also the rivet pins 10 are spaced so as to permit compact folding of the chain. In the chains of either of the types it will be found desirable to replace a rivet pin with a bolt and nut or cotter key at suitable points of the chain, preferably every four to ten links to permit detaching the dangling por; tions of the chain.

These chains possess marked advantages over theprior chains. They ar light in weight, and since they are so constructed that the links are their weakest parts, they are bound to be exceedingly strong, since the links by tests are shown to have a breaking strength of six tons. They fold readily into compact bundles which are easily stored and they are easilyunfolded. Being simple in construction they may be readily turned out at a relatively low cost.

For raising the platform I have designed a lightweight, portable machine which differs from the prior machines in that it is detachable from the platform. The machine is shown in its preferred form in Figure 11 and in modified form in Figures 12, 13, and 1st. The machine shown in Figure 11 comprises two lever 21 and 22 each having an arm. 23 rigidly secured thereto. he levers 21 and 22 are each formed in two parts which are spaced slightly more than the thickness of a link 10 of the pin-drop chain, being designed to straddle thelinks. The arms 23 are connected by a pivot pin 2st. The levers 21 and 22 also have-screw threaded. collars 25 pivotally secured between the halves of the levers, the threads being oppositely pitched in the two collars. The screw 26, also having oppositely pitched threads, passes through the collars 25. At its upper end the screw has a laterally pro 26 has threads of single pitch, all other parts being the same. This machine re quires slightly less muscular effort to operate it, but it necessitates a correspondingly longer time. The machine in Figure 13 includes a fran'ie 32 having therein a slidable rack bar 33. The frame is provided with a pair of ears 34 for axially supporting an arcuate pinion 35 which is actuated by means of the handle 36 engaging the projection 37 on the pinion 35. In Figure l t the machine comprises a simple lever and link combination. The two links 37 and 38 are each connected to the lever 39 having a detachable handle 40 for actuating it. It will be apparent that all of these machines are designed for the purpose of drawing two objects together. The specific utility of the machine will be described in connection with the description of the mode of operation of the entire device.

The platform supports each comprise a pair of putlogs 41 arranged as shown in Figure 17. The putlogs are supported on straps 42 which are bent as shown at 4:3, to form an abutment for the putlogs. The putlogs and straps are maintained in fixed and spaced relation by means of the spacing collars 44 and the bolts 45 passing through the putlogs, straps, and collars. The weight of the platform is thus carried by the straps as at the bends 4:3 and at the bolts 45. The special hook member shown in Figures 16 and 17 is designed to cooperate with the piirdrop chain. It is secured to the straps 4:2 by means of bosses 46 passing through suitable apertures in the straps. The special hook member is further secured to the straps 42 by means of the horizontal bolt e7 passing through aligning apertures in the hook member and straps, and its secured to a plank retainer of the platform by means of the vertical bolt 47, as shownin Figure 11. The hook is provided with a central passageway d8 for the reception of the pindrop chain, and if it is desired to further guide the position of the hook with relation to the pin-drop chain the projection 49 may be formed on the wall. of the he; to so position the pindrop chain that the pins 14. will be maintained in vertical aligrunent with the recesses 52 in the hook when the hook engages the recesses. During the up ward movement of the platform the pins 14 ride on the inclined walls until they reach the points 51, when they fall into the lee recesses 52. The hooks are also provided with notched recesses 52 for engaging the lifting machine.

The yoke shown in lfi igure 15 is used with either of the machines shown in Figures 1.1 and 12. It comprises two heavily ribbed l.-shaped members 53 which are connected by a bar orrod 54, the whole structure being either integral or built up. Forward of the bar 5% there are two bosses and at its upper end it. is provided witli two apertures for recetving the pins 56 to secure the yoke to the lever of the machine. The con struction of this yoke is varied but slightly with the different n'iacliines. lit is identical in the machine in Figure 153. In the machine of Figure 12-3 the yoke is omitted altogether and a collar is substituted, the collar being provided with ears lid-having bosses 59. In the machine of Figure l-l-v the yoke 38 is almost identical with that of Figure 15, the two parts of the yoke in this instance being connected by the rod 60 and having the bosses 61, the rod being spaced from the bosses a slightly greater distance than that of l he Figure 11. construction.

In use the machine is placed in position by first causing the notch of the lever 21 to en-- gage one of the pins 14 at a higher elevation and then actuating the screw to force the yoke downwardly until the two bosses, riding over the inclined wall 50 of the hook ll'lGHlllCl, snap into place in thesockets 52, after which the motion of the screw is reversed to force the free ends of the lovers toward each other. This of course lifts the platform and the hook member with it. l l hen the hook member comes in contact with the pin 14: next above that which has been released, the inclined walls 50 of the hook member engage that pin and force the lower portion of the chain 10 out of alignment with the upper portion as the pin slides over the inclined walls 5 This movement continues until the pin reaches the point 51 of the hook member, at which time the weight of the lower part of the chain will force the pin past the point 51 and into the sockets The motion of the machine is then reversed for a portion of a turn so that it may be released from engagement with the chain and with the hook member. It should be noted that the raise 's comparatively slight, being only about six inches from pin to pin and thus resulting in only a insignificant tilting of the platform. The operator of course takes his machine from chain to chain, and since the operation of any one chain requires only about twenty seconds, the platform may i be quickly brought to level at an elevated position. It is usually preferable that two machines be operated sii'i'iultaneously on opposite sides of the platform by different workmen to eX- pedite the lifting of the platform and for minimizing); th annoyance of the slight.- tilt and; for avoiding slight torsional strains on the platform.

The chain shown in Figures 3 art t is not provided with pins and it is nec ssary there fore to employ additional means for elevating the platforn'i. on this chain. The means en'iolo ed is the iin-droi device illusthis device is suspended from the chain 15 it is so firmly secured thereto that it cannot be jarred or shaken loose but it must be lifted until the clevis 17 is entirely out of the socket and then moved sideways until the link 15 passes out of the slot. The use of this device is similar to that of the pin drop chain. The device is suspended from the chain 15 and the elevating of the platform is done from pin to pin of the device, it being understood, of course, that the device must be shiftcd'to higher levels from time to time.

The platform frame comprises pairs of transverse putlogs 4-1 connected at their ends in spaced relation by means of the bolts 45 and the spacing sleeves Slil'illill bolts and sleeves connect the two putlogs of the pair at intervals to prevent buckling or spreading of the putlogs. One or more U- shaped plank retainers 66 is secured between the putlogs and at the ends the plank retainare 67 are l -shaped and have one end secured between the putlogs and the other end secured to the hook member by the bolts 47 The plank retainers are spaced a distance equal; to their width so that planks may belaid between consecutive retainers. The depth of the retainers is such that two planks may be placed, one on top of the other in the retainers so to permit overlapping at the ends of the planks. This insures safety for the workmen since it makes a unitary structure of the entire platform in which any breakage or slippage in a single support would merely result in a slight sagging of the platforn'i at that point.

The pins 14 of the pin-drop chain when sliding over the inclined wall 50 of the hook n'iember are practically certain to drop into the socket 51 with a click that notifies the operator of the machine. These sockets are deep enough so that the accidental disengagement of the pin is almost impossible. It is likewise very improbable that the pin would ever rest'on the point 51. to be subsequently jarred loose. Even in the event of the accidental disengagement of the pin from the hook member, the worst that could happen is a slight but sudden dropping of that portion of the platform at that point. In order to prevent even this slight possibility which might tend to alarm the workmen there is provided a hood 68 as shown in l ic ures l8 and L9. This hood is slightly wider than the pin-drop chain and at its upper end it has inwardly projecting flanges 69 forming; sockets for engaging one of the pins. The top openingof the hood is of a size and form such that the hood may be turned on the chain. l i hile the platform is being); raised the hood rests on an upper pin and when the platforn'i has been raised the hood is given a quarter turn and dropped ver the hook member. Should the pin be caught on the point 51 of the hook member the dropping of the hood will force the pin into the sockets 52. he hood will also prevent absolutely the displacement of the pin from the sockets 52. In Figure 18 is shown a modification. of the hood, the top portion being omitted. In this case, the hood 6S rests on the end of the lever 21 of the liftinn machine during the lifting operation, but when the machine is withdrawn the hood (38 falls over the special. hook member.

it is possible also to lower the platform, although in practice it is seldom necessary. lVhenever it is desired to lower the plat form it is only necessary to apply the lifting machine and to release the tension of the platform on the chain by means of the screw, and finally to pry the chain out of the hook member by means of the special lever 70 as shown in Figure 20.

The novel hoisting machine in combination with the chain as above described possesses numerous marked advantages over those heretofore used. The usual'practice has been to secure the machines to the platform one for each chain. The result has been that the machines become clogged with mortar, dirt, snow, and ice and that as a resmt the workman takes an inadequate interest in the machine so that it suffers from lack of lubrication and other care. The ma chine above described, both in its preferred form and in all of its modified forms, is more in the nature of a tool which is carried from chain to chain. The workman looks upon it as a tool and in order to conserve his strength he keeps it properly lubricated and cleaned. All of the parts of the machine are open where any wear or lack of care are instantly noticed. The machine is light in weight, weighing; only about twenty-live pounds, and it is simple, strong, and durable in construction. It may be attached or detached in three seconds and the SlXl11Cl1 raise may be completed wi hin twenty seconds. The machine supports the weight of that portionof the platform only during the time of the lifting of the machine, the weight of the platform at all other times being can ried directly by the chain engaging the special'hook member.

The individual machine costs less to man ufacture than the individual machine of the prior types. A still greater saving, however, is due to the fact that whereas in the prior scaffolding devices a machine was required for each support, in my device only one or two machines are required for the entire platform, thus materially reducing the cost of the original equipment. Better care of the machine insures longer life and reduccs the cost of up-keep. The reduced munher of machines reduces transportation costs which is a heavy item with contractors.

The older types of machines are always in place where they obstruct the passageway on the platform and occupy space which. is otherwise needed for the workmen and materials. lily machine, however, is not left in place and when. it is not in use it may be left in any convenient spot where it is not in the way, and because it is but very little heavier than the portable extension handle used with the prior machines it may be moved about whenever desired.

The special hook member which is in effect a part of the machine is positive in action. it is made of cast steel or malleable iron. It is so firmly secured to the angle iron putlogs that it is practically impossible for any breakage to occur in normal use either in the hook member or in the connections between the hook member and the platform support. The machine has a positive non-slip engagement with the hook member. The weight of the dangling portion of the chain guides the chain over the inclined walls of the hook member until a pin of the chain snaps with a click into the deep socket provided in the hook member, and to make the security absolute there may be added the hood of either of the forms which I have described.

Having thus described my invention in such full, clear, and exact terms that its construction and operation will be readily understood by others skilled in the art to which it pertains, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a scaffold hoisting device, a support which is adapted to be secured at its upper extremity to an outrigger. a plurality of pins projecting from opposite sides of said support, a platform, means on said platform for engaging one of said pins, and a machine which is adapted to engage another of said pins and said platform and to disengage said platform and to lift the platform into engagement with the next higher of said pins.

2. In a scaffold hoisting; device, a flexible support which is adapted to secured at its upper extremity to an outrigger, a pluetter? rality of pins projecting from opposite sides of said support, .a platform, a hook member on said platform, said hook member being adapted to engage one of said pins, and a lifting machine for engaging both said hook and an elevated pin to disengage said hook and to lift said platform with said hook into engagement with the next higher of said pins.

3. in a scallold hoisting device, a chain ccnupsrising fiat links which are foldable edge to edge, pairs of aligned projections on opposite sides of said links, said chain bei-n adapted to be see d at its upper (llillli v ci, a platform, hook member secured to said platform, said hook member being provided with sockets for engaging a pair of said aligned projections, and .a lifting machine, said lifting machine being adapted to engage said hook member and pair of said aligned projections and .to disengage said hook member and to lift said platform and hook member into engagement; with the next higher pair of said pairs of projections.

s. In a scaffold hoisting device, a suspended support, said support having horizontal pins projecting from opposite sides thereof, platform,- a hook member secured to said platform, said hook member being provided with a socket for receiving the end portions of one of said pins to thereby support said platform, and means for lifting said platform and hook member out of engagement with a pin, said hook member being provided with an inclined wall which serves as a track for the next higher of said pins until the pin enters the socket of said hook member.

5. In a scaffold hoisting device, a platform, a supporting chain comprising platelikc links positioned in end to end relation and spaced slightly at their contiguous ends, link plates overlapping said links at their contiguous ends, pivot pins securing said link plates to said links, said pivot pins of each pair of pivot pins being spaced a distance slightly greater than the width of said links whereby said links may be.

folded against each other in edge to edge relation, and pins projecting from said links, said pins being parallel to said pivot pins, said 'n'ojectin pins being adapted to rc leasably support said platform.

6. In a scaffold hoisting device, a support, a plurality of pins projecting from opposite sides of said support, a platform having a hook member scoured thereto, said hook member being provided with a downwardly opening socket for receiving the end portions of one of said pins, said hook member having a downwardly and outwardly inclined surface above the socket whereby when the platform and the said hook member are lifted, the end portions of the next higher of said plurality of pins will engage the inclined surface of said hook yiember until the socket of said hook member receives the pin.

I" "t" t. i

a scaffold hoisting device, a sussupport having-horizontal pins proecting l om opposite sides thereof, a platfori-n having a hook member secured thererecci Y i support when the end portions of 1 re pin seated in a socket, said her bei also provided with a do-wnwait wardly inclined surface Wl-IGL'Qb}?\Vllfil said platforn'i and said'hook member are lifted to the position of the next higher of said pins, the next higher of said pins will ride on the inclined surface of the said hook member until it falls into the socket of said hook member.

8. In a scaffold hoisting device, a suspended support having a plurality of pins projecting from opposite sides thereof, a platform, and means for elevating said plat form from pin to pin of said support, said means inch-aiding a lever which is adapted tocngage an elevated pin of said plurality of pins, a second lever, and a yoke which is adapted to engage said platform, and manually operable means for actuating said levers to lift said yoke and platform.

9. In combination, a platform and a hook member secured thereto, a support having a plurality of securing devices thereon, said securing devices being adapted to be engaged by said hook member for releasably securing said platform to said support, a machine for releasing said hook member from engage ment with a securing device and for elevating said platform, said machine including means for engagingsaid hook member and means for engaging a securing device at an elevated position and manually operated means for causing upward movementof said hook member and platform.

10. In combination, a suspended support having a plurality of securing devices thereon, a platform and a hook member secured thereto, said hook member being adapted to engage one of said securing devices, and a machine for elevating a platform, said machine inchiding a lever which is adapted to engage one of said securing devices at a higher level, a yoke which is adapted to engage said hook member, and means for causing said yoke and said lever to approach each other.

11. In combination, a suspended support having securing devices thereon. a platform and a hook member secured thereto, said hook member being adapted to engage any one of said securing devices to support said platform, and a machine for elevating said platform, said machine comprising a lever hook in em for detachably engaging one of said securing devices at a higher level, a suspended yoke for detachably engaging said hook member, and manually operable means for causing said yoke to approach said lever.

12. In combination, a suspended support having securing devices thereon, a platform and a hook member secured thereto, said hook member being adapted to engage any one of said securing devices for supporting said platform, and a machine for elevating said platform, said machine including a yoke for engaging said hook member, a lever pivotally secured to said yoke, a second lever which is adapted to detachably engage one of said securing devices at a higher level, and a screw device engaging both of said levers for lifting said yoke.

13. In combination, a suspended support having securing devices thereon, a platform and a hook member secured thereto, said hook member being adapted to detachably engage any one of said securing devices for supporting said platform, and a machine for detaching said hook member from engagement with the securing device and for elevating said platform, said machine including a yoke for engaging said hook member and manually operable means for elevating said yoke on said support, said yoke having a pair of bosses for directly engaging said hook member and having also a transverse member for engaging a vertical Wall of said hook member for preventing accidental disengagement of said bosses from said hook member.

14. In combination, a suspended support having securing devices thereon, a platform and a hook member secured thereto, said hook iember being adapted to detachably engage any one of said securing devices for supporting said platform, and a machine for detaching said hook member from engage ment with the securing device and for elevating said platform, said machine including a yoke for detachably engaging said hook member and manually operable means for elevating said yoke on said support, said yoke having a pair of bosses for directly engaging said hook member, and a hood slidable on said support, said hood being adapted to be seated around said hook mem her to prevent disengagement of said hook member from the securing devices on said suspended support. 1

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WALTON C. FER-BIS. 

